Interim govt decides to restructure NBR amid prolonged deadlock
The interim government has decided to restructure the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, aiming to address weaknesses in the country’s revenue management system.
In a statement issued on Sunday (June 29), the government has called upon all NBR officials and employees to immediately return to their workplaces and refrain from “unlawful and anti-national activities.”
"Otherwise, the government will be compelled to take strict measures to protect the country’s economy and the interests of its people," the statement warns.
The government, the statement says, has also decided to declare all categories of jobs under customs houses, ICDs, bond commissionerates and customs stations, under the jurisdiction of the NBR, as ‘Essential Services’ to ensure uninterrupted import-export and foreign trade activities in the national interest.
Bangladesh's biggest challenge in implementing development-oriented budgetary activities is the weak revenue collection structure.
The amount of revenue collected remains significantly lower than the state’s requirements, primarily due to inefficiencies, irregularities and corruption within the revenue collection system, the government mentions.
Besides, the current interim government expressed deep concern over attempts by a ‘section of NBR officials and employees’ to obstruct the ongoing revenue reforms.
"For the past two months, in the guise of a movement, they have severely disrupted trade, imports, exports and revenue collection activities, causing widespread public suffering. Such actions are entirely unacceptable," the statement reads.
The statement further mentions that beyond resisting reforms, the agitating officials have seriously hampered revenue collection during the last two months of the fiscal year. "This so-called movement is pre-planned and ill-intentioned, posing a direct threat to national interests and the rights of citizens," it adds.
The government reiterated that it had made clear announcements to consider the demands of NBR officials and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
"They, however, rejected this offer and have continued to harm the economy with their rigid stance under the banner of a movement, rather than seeking an acceptable solution through discussions," said the government.
Source: UNB